Russian plane crashes with 49 feared killed
A Russian An-24 twin turboprop passenger plane crashed during a flight in Russia's Far East on Thursday. Officials stated that malfunction and human error are being considered as possible causes of the accident.
According to Vasily Orlov, governor of Amur Region, there were 49 people onboard, including five children and six crew members. The crash caused a fire, and preliminary data indicate there are no survivors.
Chinese Consulate General in Khabarovsk confirmed that one Chinese national was on board the plane.
The aircraft was en route from the regional capital Blagoveshchensk to Tynda, a destination approximately 600 kilometers away.
According to the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation, the airliner attempted a second landing after aborting its initial approach, losing contact during the maneuver in cloudy conditions. Wreckage was located approximately 15 km from Tynda airport on a mountainside. Rescue helicopters cannot land due to rugged terrain and dense forests, forcing rescue teams to proceed on foot.
